Kaleigh Walker Student Supports

The Vital Role of School Psychologists

Schools are full of professionals who work tirelessly to promote the success of each student. Educators, food service workers, administrative assistants, educational support personnel, and so many more. An additional–and equally essential–part of the team is the school psychologist.

Their jobs can be summarized into one, all-encompassing descriptor: collaborators.

“We work directly with students, teachers, admin, parents, or other stakeholders to identify ways we can provide additional supports for kids that need some help,” said Rachel Scott, a lead school psychologist who works at Northwest Middle, West High, Paul Kelley Volunteer Academy, and the Richard L. Bean Juvenille Detention Center. 

Scott sheds light on the multifaceted nature of her role. Direct interactions with students, consultations with educators, meetings with various stakeholders, and mentoring colleagues punctuate her routine. 

Whether conducting assessments, supporting discussions during various collaborative school-based meeting, or consulting with colleagues, every action serves a singular purpose: to nurture the academic and emotional well-being of students. 

Scott’s passion for her job shines through as she reflects on the variety and challenges it entails, emphasizing the profound impact it has on the lives of young learners.

“A large part of the job is advocating for students from a position of knowledge, and also making sure to show empathy and compassion for everyone at the table,” she said. “We’re all here for the same reason: to help students access and achieve academic success.”

Brittany Williams Jaynes, another dedicated school psychologist at Karns Preschool, Fair Garden Family Center, Karns Elementary, and Mill Creek Elementary, echoes Scott’s sentiments, highlighting the collaborative nature of their work. 

In her role, Williams Jaynes navigates a spectrum of responsibilities, from conducting evaluations to spearheading initiatives aimed at supporting students’ behavioral and mental health.

“It’s a great job because no two days are the same,” Williams Jaynes said. “And it’s so neat to see the students that maybe needed extra academic or social support and just how much they’ve grown by the time they head off to middle school.”

Beyond evaluations and consultations, school psychologists like Williams Jaynes embrace innovative approaches to student support. 

In collaboration with a Karns Elementary counselor, Williams Jaynes hosts the “Lunch Bunch,” a weekly social group for students on the autism spectrum.

These initiatives not only nurture students’ well-being but also create a sense of belonging and inclusivity within the school community.

“We invite peer models to eat with us and the students, and there were some friendships that grew for kids that struggled in that area,”  Williams Jaynes said.

Scott and Williams Jaynes’ narratives draw attention to the profound impact of school psychologists on student success and well-being. 

As advocates, assessors, and allies, these professionals play a pivotal role in creating nurturing environments where every student can thrive. 

Kaleigh Walker Student Supports

Educational Triumphs at Home: Transforming Learning & Embracing Challenges with KCS Homebound

Orin Heatherly is part of the Knox County Schools family, but his day may look a little different compared to his peers. 

As a Homebound student, Heatherly receives instruction from his dedicated teacher, Donna Klarich, at home.

“Working with Orin has been a deeply rewarding journey that goes beyond traditional education,” Klarich said. “It’s about embracing unique challenges and joys, fostering academic growth, and celebrating personal achievements–fulfilling my role as a dedicated educator and member of their family.”

The KCS Homebound team supports students who, due to medical or other reasons, cannot attend their base school. They stand out as a beacon of consistency for these students and their families.

Support is provided virtually or in person at home or even in the hospital, and the time spent with the Homebound teacher is sometimes the only normal part of their week. 

“Homebound has helped him in so many ways,” said Heatherly’s mom, Amy. “He is more aware of how to perform daily activities, and it has helped me to learn how to teach him effectively since I can participate in his education.”

And then there’s Celeste Cristelous, a Homebound teacher with almost 20 years of experience, specializing in working with students diagnosed with cancer. 

“We step into the lives of our students during some of their roughest times, making their days brighter and meeting their greatest needs, whether educational or emotional,” she shares.

While students are going through different stages of their treatment, their educators also adjust their style of teaching. Cristelous said that “what works after surgery does not work during chemotherapy, and what works during chemotherapy does not work during radiation.”

But what does Homebound instruction look like in practice?

Think individualized learning plans tailored to each student’s health condition, learning style, and academic requirements. Imagine flexibility in scheduling that accommodates varied rest periods or medical treatments. Envision qualified and licensed instructors dedicated to adapting to diverse learning needs and environments.

Communication is key, with Homebound teachers providing regular updates and maintaining open channels to ensure everyone involved is on the same page, and integration with the school curriculum is a priority. When the time comes, the students can experience a seamless return to school.

It’s not just about the academics; Homebound teachers recognize the social and emotional challenges students may face and offer the necessary support. Collaboration with healthcare professionals and student support services is essential for success, and building community understanding contributes to a positive, inclusive learning environment.

KCS Homebound allows education to transcend the ordinary, and every student’s journey can be a story of triumph.

To learn more about Homebound and how we can serve you and your family, please contact any members of the team.

Daphne Odom (daphne.odom@knoxschools.org)

Mendy Williams (mendy.williams@knoxschools.org)

Megan Greene (megan.greene@knoxschools.org)

KCS Hall Pass Student Supports

Compassionately Navigating Specialized Transport: The Role of KCS Special Education Transportation

Suzanne Clapp’s daughter, a middle school student, commutes to school just like her peers. For seven years, the Special Education Transportation Team has made sure that her unique needs don’t keep her from riding the same buses as 20,000 other students across the district. 

Clapp’s daughter is just one of the 2,000 special needs students benefiting from the work and expertise of the SPED Transportation Team. 

The Team — which includes licensed physical and occupational therapists, a Special Education Supervisor, and a Transportation Router — collaborates with nursing, speech, and behavioral specialists to facilitate the safest, most appropriate transport of special needs students to and from school every day. 

Though Clapp recognizes the Team’s obvious expertise, she values the Team’s acknowledgment of the unique challenges families face in understanding and meeting their child’s specific needs.

“As parents, we are deeply immersed in our child’s needs,” said Clapp. “Maybe they struggle–to varying degrees–with mobility, behavior, or communication. Some are non-verbal and most probably don’t understand bus safety rules. While we want our children to have the same school experience as their peers, there can be a lot of stress involved in that.”

That’s why the SPED Transportation Team encourages family involvement in the process of evaluating and arranging these services and prioritizes understanding each child’s individual safety needs.

“Wheelchairs are as unique as the children who use them and each one must be secured in a specific way to be safely transported,” Clapp explains. “Researching all those specific requirements and protocols is time consuming and, honestly, tedious, but the Transportation Team ensures every child is fitted correctly in the right chair and that every chair is secured properly.”

The team also provides Child Passenger Safety training to school-based staff throughout the district for those who either ride the bus with students or participate in the transportation process. Additionally, they complete trainings for approximately 160 special education bus drivers, 40 shuttle drivers, and contractors. 

The group also completes specific training modules. Several members hold Child Passenger Safety Certifications with Safe Travel for all Children endorsements. The endorsement is specific to the Child Passenger Safety Certification.

These hands-on training sessions include the proper use of individual safety devices, loading and unloading, the securement of wheelchairs, behavior strategies, and evacuation techniques.

Emphasizing the district’s commitment to providing every student with a quality, free, and appropriate education, KCS Director of Transportation Ryan Dillingham commends the Special Education Transportation Team for their efforts, saying: “The SPED Transportation Team works incredibly hard to make sure the complexity of a student’s needs doesn’t impact their ability to get to school in the same way as their traditionally educated peers.”

For more information on Special Education Transportation, please contact Ryan Dillingham (ryan.dillingham@knoxschools.org) or Lauren Mays (lauren.mays@knoxschools.org).